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Program Summary 

Top students in STEM fields pursuing doctoral degrees may be eligible for Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) Fellowships in Electrochemical Engineering and related applications. These Fellowships are awarded based on academic performance and financial need. GAANN Fellows are recommended for the program by the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and require approval by the Graduate School and the Fellowship Program Selections Committee. If selected, GAANN Fellows are eligible for stipends up to $34,000 per year.

Eligibility Requirements 

1. Enrolled full-time in or admitted to the doctoral program in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 

2. U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or a permanent resident of a Free State 

3. Committed to a career as a university faculty member or high-impact researcher 

4. Outstanding undergraduate and (if applicable) graduate academic record (cumulative grade point average) 

5. Demonstrated financial need, determined according to federal guidelines 

How to Apply 

Step 1.  Apply to the Ph.D. program in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.

Step 2.  Email Dr. John Staser at staser@ohio.edu expressing your intent to apply for the GAANN Fellowship. 

 

GAANN Faculty and Department Affiliations 

• Monica Burdick, Associate Professor, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering 
• Damilola Daramola, Assistant Professor, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering 
• Doug Goetz, Professor, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering 
• Marc Singer, Associate Professor, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering 
• John Staser (Director), Associate Professor, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering 
• Jason Trembly, Russ Professor, Mechanical Engineering and Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering 

Research Areas 

Electrochemical Engineering 

Electrocatalysis (Staser, Trembly, Daramola)

Development of electrocatalysts is at the forefront of efforts to enhance the kinetics and economics of electrochemical processes.  Novel electrocatalysts that are cost-effective, able to be synthesized in large quantities with minimal environmental impact, using precursors and raw materials readily sourced within the United States, and demonstrating excellent stability and operating lifetime are needed for emerging areas of national need including renewable energy production, electrochemical synthesis, environmental remediation, and pharmaceuticals. 

Research in this area is conducted at the nanoscale.  Synthesis procedures are designed to result in specific electrocatalyst features, including surface morphology, porosity, particle size distribution and chemistry.  Often, advanced modeling capabilities are used to better understand and predict electrocatalyst behavior at the molecular level.

At ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ, you can develop novel electrocatalysts for applications ranging from fuel cells and electrolyzers to electrochemical synthesis of fuels to electrochemical conversion of biomass to value-added chemicals.  We work on ways to enhance electrocatalyst features, including surface morphology and selectivity toward specific products in electrochemical synthesis.  Use tools like computational fluid dynamics to predict the thermodynamics and kinetics of electrochemical processes and tailor electrocatalyst properties to achieve desired results. 

There are several projects under the Electrocatalysis umbrella.  A few of these include: 

• Mixed-Oxide Electrocatalysis for Selective Electrochemical Oxidation of Natural Gas to Valuable Intermediate Chemicals 

• Electrocatalysis for Electrochemical Synthesis 
   

Electrochemical Energy Devices (Staser, Trembly, Daramola)

Electrochemical devices have long been used for energy conversion and storage.  Lead-acid batteries are used in virtually every vehicle on Earth, and fuel cells have enjoyed a successful history in space exploration. More recently, Li-ion batteries, once more limited as the go-to power source for portable electronics, have exploded onto the electric vehicle scene, with efforts underway to improve charging rates and economics. Most of the major automotive brands produce at least one EV model, with trends suggesting significant growth and user adoption in the coming years. While electrochemical energy devices have a long and storied history, the future is just as exciting, with possibilities in implantable medical devices, flexible batteries and capacitors, photocapacitors, grid-scale storage and advanced battery chemistries beyond lithium.  

Research in this area is broad, from materials development to device- and systems-level engineering to techno-economic analyses and end-use safety. New electrode chemistries and structures receive significant research attention. New electrolytes are being developed that push the electrochemical window and allow for greater energy density. In some applications (such as aeronautic or space systems), size and weight are key, and research is being done to make the devices smaller without a significant reduction in energy or power densities. 

At ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ, you can help develop advanced electrochemical energy devices designed to meet the needs of a rapidly changing energy portfolio. We work on new materials and new electrode chemistries, as well as advanced device architecture and systems-level integration. There are several active projects in this area that GAANN Fellows can work on. 

 

Electrochemical Conversion of Biomass (Staser, Daramola) 

Biomass has gained attention as a raw material for a host of products, including biofuels, plastics and other materials.  In particular, lignocellulosic biomass like corn stover and other agricultural residue is of interest because it is abundant in the United States and can be used to make biofuel.  The lignin portion of lignocellulosic biomass, however, cannot be converted into fuel.  In biorefineries where lignocellulosic biomass is converted to biofuel, the lignin portion is typically burned to recover energy.  Lignin, however, is itself a very interesting material; it is a polyaromatic compound.  Depolymerization of lignin to smaller aromatic compounds is of interest because these smaller aromatic compounds could displace petroleum as raw materials for things like resins, resin binders, etc.  Depolymerization is difficult to achieve in practice.  

Electrochemical conversion of lignin holds promise because